Device for supporting articles on garments



July 1947- I v c. w. PRINCE 2,423,948

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AN ARTICLE 0N GARMENTS Filed Feb. 1'7, 1943 Patented July 15, 1947 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING ARTICLES ON GARMENTS Charles W. Prince, Kansas City, Mo.

Application February 17, 1943, Serial No. 476,154.

. 2 Claims. 1

My invention relates to improvement in devices for supporting articles on garments. It is particularly adapted for releasably attaching to a fabric portion of a garment, such as a coat, vest, or shirt, an article, such as a pencil, fountain pen, or comb.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a device of the kind described with novel means for releasably and securely fastening the article to be supported to the desired garment in a manner such that the article can be easily and quickly attached or detached by the operator, but will not accidentally become detached,

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the kind described which is simple,.cheaply manufactured, which is durable, not likely to get out of order and. which is efficient in its operation.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrate different forms of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing one form of my device attached to a pencil, and in which the fabric engaging abutment is integral with a finger provided on the clasp or .pencil holding means.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device, shown in Fig. 1, attached to a pencil and in operative engagement with a fabric portion of a pocket in which the pencil is disposed.

Fig. 3 is a front View of the device shown in Fig. 1, attached to a pencil.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, unattached to a .pencil.

Figs. 5 and 6 are different elevations of another form of my invention, adapted to'support a pencil, and in which the finger provided on the pencil holding clasp is provided with an abutment having an inner retreating wall and adapted to be forced into holding engagement with the fabric portion of a garment by the spring actuated gripping member.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of another form of my invention in which a pencil is provided with a lateral notch forming an abutment means into holding engagement with which a fabric portion of the garment is forced by a spring actuated gripping means similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but devoid of the finger.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing a spring actuated gripping means similar to that shown in Fig. 7, applied to a fountain pen having at one side a fabric engaging abutment means integral with the body of the pen. Y Figs. 9 and 10 are side and front views respecz tively of another form of my invention, shown attached to a pencil shown in horizontal position, in which the longitudinal finger is provided with an abutment adjacent to a recess in the finger adapted to receive the free end of the spring actuated gripping member.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary View of a comb with the clasp attached and shown in front elevation.

Fig. 12 corresponds to Fig. 11, and shows the clasp in side elevation.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the clip on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on line I l-l4 of Fig. 1, showing the clip partly broken away and supporting the U-shaped spring, also partly broken away.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the different Views.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 1 designates a pencil releasably gripped by a holding means comprising a resilient plate having a U-shaped portion 2 forming a clasp which releasably embraces the pencil and which has a longitudinal finger 3 at one side of the pencil I, and having its free end portion formed into an abutment means consisting of a portion 4 slanting in an upward and outward direction and terminating at its upper end in an abrupt, fiat, smooth trans- Verse portion 5 which, with the portion 4, forms an abutment having an abrupt angle adapted to be disposed at one side of a fabric .portion 6 of a garment, such as the outer portion of a pocket of a coat or vest, or the front portion of the bosom of a shirt. I

Resilient means comprising a U-shaped spring 1 has one of its arms extended under and embraced tightly by a U-shaped portion 8 struck out of the clasp 2 disposed between the two arms of said clasp.

The device has fabric gripping means consisting of a longitudinal plate 9 provided near its upper end with two oppositely disposed arms I0, struck from opposite edge portions of the plate 9, which tightly embrace between them the other arm of the U-shaped spring 1. The'free end of the plate 9 is provided with a ball-like or curvilinear portion II wholly above the portion 5 and adapted to be disposed at the side of the fabric portion 6 opposite that engaged by the abrupt abutment portion 5 of the finger 3. The ball formed portion H is disposed so closely to the abutment angle, when positioned as shown in Fig. 2, as to sharply bend and tightly pinch the fabric portion 6 against the abutment 5 and bend the fabric portion at two points in directions at right 3 angles to each other, thus tightly holding the device and the pencil I from being accidentally disengaged from the fabric.

By compressing the outer arm of the spring I, the gripping plate or member 9 may be swung outwardly :at its free end to admit the fabric portion 6 between the member 9 and the finger 3. The tension of the spring I, when released, will move the ball portion. I I past the abrupt angle of the abutment4-5 to the gripping position shown in Fig. 2, thereby sharply bending and pinching the fabric 6 against the abutment and bending the fabric at two .points, as shown in By having the free lower end portion of the gripping member 9 wholly above the flat smooth portion of the abutment, the fabric is more tightly pinched and securely held than where the gripping member extends .presses the fabric against the outer side of the abutment. 7

By having-the upper sidefiof the abutment fiat and smooth, there is no liability of-it tearingthe fabric, .or of making. it hard to. be disengaged when so desired.

Two projections I2 at opposite ends of the spring I hold the spring from disengagement fromthe clasp 2.

In the form shown in. Figs. 5 and 6, the con-- struction is similar to the form shown in Fig. 1, differing only in the form of the abutment means. In the form shown in Figs. 5 and" 6, the abutment has the slanting portion 4,but thetransversewall, designated by I3, corresponding infunction to the wall 5 of Fig l, is inwardly slanting and retreating, thereby making the fabric engaging portion of the abutment more acute, thereby effecting tighter pinching and holding engagementof the fabric between the ball portion II and: the abutment 4-I 3.

Inthe operation of the formshown in Figs. 5 and. 6, the ball portion I I of the gripping member 9 in passing the acute edge of the abutment pinches the fabric 6 against the abutment and bends the fabric at two points, in the manner shown in Fig.2.

In the form shown in Fig. 7, thedevice corresponds to that shown in Fig. 1 excepting thatthe finger 3 with the abutment is omitted. The clasp is fitted onto a pencil I having inone-side a recess I4 having at one end an abrupt abutment wall I5 against which the-fabric 6 is pinched andsharply bent at two points by the ball portion II, when the latter is forced by the spring I to thegripping position, the fabric at the time being disposed betweenthe ball portion I I and the adjacentside of the pencil, the adjustment of theclasp 2 ion the pencil being such as to dispose the -abutment closely to the ball portion I I.

In the form shown in Fig. 8, the-clasp 2 and gripping member and. spring correspond .to' those parts as shown in Fig; 7. These parts are'simi larly mounted upon the body-A of a fountain pen, which at one sideis provided with'an integral raised projection I6. having anoutside slanting portion terminating at its upper end in an abrupt angle. The clasp 2 is disposed on the body A, so that the ball portion II of the gripping member 9 will .pass closely to the adjacent acute edge of the abutment I6, whereby the ball portion 1 I :will tightly pinchan'd sharply bend at two points the fabric. which has been inserted between the-body A ofthe-pen andthegripping member S.

In. theform shown in Figs.- 9 and .10, the device isshown mounted. on.v a pencil. Likethe form downwardly and.

shown in Fig. 6, it is provided with a U-snaped spring 1 supported by a clasp 2, which has a longitudinal finger 3" disposed against one side of the pencil having an abutment 4-I3 similar to that of the form shown in Fig. 6.

Between the abutment 4I3 and the clasp 2, is provided in the finger 3" an opening I I. The gripping member designated by I8 is fastened by clips ID to one arm of thespring I, as in Figs. 1 and 6. The free end of the-member I8 has a lateral extension I9, which, when the spring 'I forces the gripping member to the gripping position, will pass the acute gripping edge of the abutment 4I3 and will pinch the fabric 6 against such edge and sharply bend the fabric at two points and also press the fabric into the opening II, thus holding the device from slipping on the fabric, when the latter is disposed between the. finger 3 and the gripping member I8.

In the form shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the device isshown attached to a back of a combB. Thedevice has a clasp 2. having two projections 29 and 20 which, extend through two holes in the comb B, and are clamped against the otherside of: the back of the comb.

The clasp 2' has two clips 2| which embrace one arm of the U-shaped spring 1, the other arm of-which is embraced by two clips II! on the gripping member 9 having at its free end a curvilinear portion, as a ball shaped portion II, which passes :closely adjacent to an abutment 45.'cor+ responding to that shown in Fig. 1, and provided on a finger 3 extending longitudinally on theback of the comb B at one side thereof. from the clasp'Z'.

The operation of .the:form shown in.Figs.-11,' l2 and 13 corresponds to that of the-form shown in Fig. 1 so far as concerns the gripping ofthe fabric .portion 6 .of a garment, as the bosom portion of an open front shirt, or the pocket of a coat orvest.

By providing the U-shaped spring "I, mounted on the-holding means, as the clasps, shown in the different forms of my invention, the article supported as, a pencil, fountain pen or comb, the devices of the different-forms may be easily and quickly attached to or detached from a garment with the use of but one hand, which is used to compressthe free end portion of the U shaped spring to disengage the gripping means from holding engagement with the fabric of the garment, and to enable the fabric to be slipped into position for engagementwith the gripping and abutment means.

By having the outer side of each of the abut-v ments, shown in Figs. .1, 5, 8, 9and 12 upwardly and outwardly slanting and the transverse wall at the upper end thereofat an acuteangle thereto, the fabric is more tightly gripped and the device is easily inserted into the pocket without catching on the fabric.

In. each form of my invention shown and described, .thegrippingv portion II or I9, as maybe, of the gripping member 9 or I8, oscillates-with the arm of the spring I in a line of travel atone side of v(above, as shown) the abrupt angle of the adjacent abutment so closely thereto as to sharply bend and pinch the fabric portion against the abutment. It is the combination-of sharply bending and pinchingiof the fabric that securely holds the fastening device from slippage and accidental disengagement of the fabric.

Other modifications of my inventionmay be made, within the scope of-theappended claims,

without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a device for attaching an article, as a writing implement or a comb, to a garment, a plate of resilient material having a flat body portion and means adapted for fastening it vertically to one side of the article, said plate having its lower end portion formed into an outwardly extending projection forming an abutment with a fiat, smooth upper side, a U-shaped spring above said abutment, and having one arm fastened to the outer side of said plate, and a gripping member fastened to the other arm of said spring and extending downwardly therefrom along the outer side of said .plate with its lower free end portion wholly above, spaced from, but so near to, said flat upper side of said abutment as to sharply bend and tightly pinch against said abutment a garment fabric inserted between said free end portion and said abutment.

2. In a device for attaching an article, as a writing implement or a comb, to a garment, a plate of resilient material having a fiat body portion and means adapted for fastening it vertically to one side of the article, said plate having its lower end portion extending in an upward and outward direction and inwardly to form an abutment with a flat, smooth upper side, a U-shaped spring above said abutment, and having one arm fastened to the outer side of said plate, and a gripping member fastened to the other arm of said spring and extending downwardly therefrom along the outer side of said plate with its lower free end portion wholly above, spaced from, but so near to, said fiat upper side of said abutment as to sharply bend and tightly pinch against said abutment a garment fabric inserted between said free end portion and said abutment.

CHARLES W. PRINCE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,189,639 Tooker et a1 July 4, 1916 1,316,189 Rust Sept. 16, 1919 2,245,059 Sullivan June 10, 1941 1,646,742 Becker Oct. 25, 1927 1,680,601 Elliott Aug. 14, 1928 

